---
title: "SPO.IDE.H.145 Flight data recorder — Part-SPO · Avioverse"
description: "Helicopters with an MCTOM of more than 3 175 kg and first issued with an individual CofA on or after 1 January 2016 shall be equipped with an FDR that…"
url: "https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/air-ops/part-spo/subpart-d/spo-ide-h-145"
---

# SPO.IDE.H.145 Flight data recorder

ANNEX VIII (Part-SPO) · Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 · EAR revision 27 Mar 2026

IR Implementing rule

## SPO.IDE.H.145 Flight data recorder

(a) Helicopters with an MCTOM of more than 3 175 kg and first issued with an individual CofA on or after 1 January 2016 shall be equipped with an FDR that uses a digital method of recording and storing data and for which a method of readily retrieving that data from the storage medium is available.

(b) The FDR shall record the parameters required to determine accurately the [helicopter](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/helicopter) flight path, speed, attitude, engine power, configuration and operation and be capable of retaining data recorded during at least the preceding 10 hours.

(c) Data shall be obtained from helicopter sources that enable accurate correlation with information displayed to the flight crew.

(d) The FDR shall start automatically to record the data prior to the helicopter being capable of moving under its own power and shall stop automatically after the helicopter is incapable of moving under its own power.

(e) If the FDR is not deployable, it shall have a device to assist in locating it under water. By 1 January 2020 at the latest, this device shall have a minimum underwater transmission time of 90 days. If the FDR is deployable, it shall have an automatic emergency locator transmitter.

IR · SPO.IDE.H.145 — Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 · Regulation (EU) 2015/2338 · Air OPS Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 27 Mar 2026

AMC Acceptable means of compliance

## AMC1 SPO.IDE.H.145 Flight data recorder

OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR HELICOPTERS HAVING AN MCTOM OF MORE THAN 3 175 KG AND FIRST ISSUED WITH AN INDIVIDUAL CofA ON OR AFTER 1 JANUARY 2016 AND BEFORE 1 JANUARY 2023

(a) The operational performance requirements for flight data recorders (FDRs) should be those laid down in EUROCAE Document ED-112 (Minimum Operational Performance Specification for Crash Protected Airborne Recorder Systems) dated March 2003, including amendments No°1 and No°2, or any later equivalent standard produced by EUROCAE.

(b) The FDR should record, with reference to a timescale, the list of parameters in Table 1 and Table 2, as applicable.

(c) The parameters recorded by the FDR should meet, as far as practicable, the performance specifications (designated ranges, sampling intervals, accuracy limits and minimum resolution in read-out) defined in EUROCAE ED-112, including amendments No°1 and No°2, or any later equivalent standard produced by EUROCAE.

(d) FDR systems for which some recorded parameters do not meet the performance specifications of EUROCAE Document ED-112 may be acceptable to the Agency.

Table 1: FDR parameters — All helicopters

| No\*                       | Parameter                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
| -------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| 1                          | Time or relative time count                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
| 2                          | Pressure altitude                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
| 3                          | Indicated airspeed                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
| 4                          | Heading                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
| 5                          | Normal acceleration                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| 6                          | Pitch attitude                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
| 7                          | Roll attitude                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
| 8                          | Manual radio transmission keying CVR/FDR synchronisation reference                                                                                                                                                                                           |
| 9 9a 9b 9c 9d 9e           | Power on each engine: Free power turbine speed (NF) Engine torque Engine gas generator speed (NG) Flight crew compartment power control position Other parameters to enable engine power to be determined                                                    |
| 10 10a 10b                 | Rotor: Main rotor speed Rotor brake (if installed)                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
| 11 11a 11b 11c 11d 11e 11f | Primary flight controls — Pilot input and/or control output position (if applicable) Collective pitch Longitudinal cyclic pitch Lateral cyclic pitch Tail rotor pedal Controllable stabilator (if applicable) Hydraulic selection                            |
| 12                         | Hydraulics low pressure (each system should be recorded.)                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
| 13                         | Outside air temperature                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
| 18                         | Yaw rate or yaw acceleration                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
| 20                         | Longitudinal acceleration (body axis)                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| 21                         | Lateral acceleration                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
| 25                         | Marker beacon passage                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| 26                         | Warnings — a discrete should be recorded for the master warning, gearbox low oil pressure and as failure. Other ‘red’ warnings should be recorded where the warning condition cannot be determined from other parameters or from the cockpit voice recorder. |
| 27                         | Each navigation receiver frequency selection                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
| 37                         | Engine control modes                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |

\* The number in the left hand column reflects the serial number depicted in EUROCAE ED-112.

Table 2: FDR parameters — Helicopters for which the data source for the parameter is either used by [helicopter](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/helicopter) systems or is available on the instrument panel for use by the flight crew to operate the helicopter.

| No\*                       | Parameter                                                                                                                                               |
| -------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| 14                         | AFCS mode and engagement status                                                                                                                         |
| 15                         | Stability augmentation system engagement (each system should be recorded)                                                                               |
| 16                         | Main gear box oil pressure                                                                                                                              |
| 17 17a 17b 17c             | Gear box oil temperature Main gear box oil temperature Intermediate gear box oil temperature Tail rotor gear box oil temperature                        |
| 19                         | Indicated sling load force (if signals readily available)                                                                                               |
| 22                         | Radio altitude                                                                                                                                          |
| 23 23a 23b 23c             | Vertical deviation — the approach aid in use should be recorded. ILS glide path MLS elevation GNSS approach path                                        |
| 24 24a 24b 24c             | Horizontal deviation — the approach aid in use should be recorded. ILS localiser MLS azimuth GNSS approach path                                         |
| 28                         | DME 1 & 2 distances                                                                                                                                     |
| 29 29a 29b 29c 29d 29e 29f | Navigation data Drift angle Wind speed Wind direction Latitude Longitude Ground speed                                                                   |
| 30                         | Landing gear or gear selector position                                                                                                                  |
| 31                         | Engine exhaust gas temperature (T4)                                                                                                                     |
| 32                         | Turbine inlet temperature (TIT/ITT)                                                                                                                     |
| 33                         | Fuel contents                                                                                                                                           |
| 34                         | Altitude rate (vertical speed) — only necessary when available from cockpit instruments                                                                 |
| 35                         | Ice detection                                                                                                                                           |
| 36 36a 36b 36c 36d 36e     | Helicopter health and usage monitor system (HUMS) Engine data Chip detector Track timing Exceedance discretes Broadband average engine vibration        |
| 38 38a 38b                 | Selected barometric setting — to be recorded for helicopters where the parameter is displayed electronically Pilot Co-pilot                             |
| 39                         | Selected altitude (all pilot selectable modes of operation) — to be recorded for the helicopters where the parameter is displayed electronically        |
| 40                         | Selected speed (all pilot selectable modes of operation) — to be recorded for the helicopters where the parameter is displayed electronically           |
| 41                         | Not used (selected Mach)                                                                                                                                |
| 42                         | Selected vertical speed (all pilot selectable modes of operation) — to be recorded for the helicopters where the parameter is displayed electronically  |
| 43                         | Selected heading (all pilot selectable modes of operation) — to be recorded for the helicopters where the parameter is displayed electronically         |
| 44                         | Selected flight path (all pilot selectable modes of operation) — to be recorded for the helicopters where the parameter is displayed electronically     |
| 45                         | Selected decision height (all pilot selectable modes of operation) — to be recorded for the helicopters where the parameter is displayed electronically |
| 46                         | EFIS display format                                                                                                                                     |
| 47                         | Multi-function/engine/alerts display format                                                                                                             |
| 48                         | Event marker                                                                                                                                            |

\* The number in the left hand column reflects the serial number depicted in EUROCAE ED-112.

AMC · AMC1 SPO.IDE.H.145 — Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 · ED Decision 2016/012/R · Air OPS Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 27 Mar 2026

AMC Acceptable means of compliance

## AMC2 SPO.IDE.H.145 Flight data recorder

OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR HELICOPTERS HAVING AN MCTOM OF MORE THAN 3 175 KG AND FIRST ISSUED WITH AN INDIVIDUAL CofA ON OR AFTER 1 JANUARY 2023

(a) The operational performance requirements for flight data recorders (FDRs) should be those laid down in EUROCAE Document 112A (Minimum Operational Performance Specification for Crash Protected Airborne Recorder Systems) dated September 2013, or any later equivalent standard produced by EUROCAE.

(b) The FDR should, with reference to a timescale, record:

(1) the list of parameters in Table 1 below;

(2) the additional parameters listed in Table 2 below, when the information data source for the parameter is used by [helicopter](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/helicopter) systems or is available on the instrument panel for use by the flight crew to operate the helicopter; and

(3) any dedicated parameters related to novel or unique design or operational characteristics of the helicopter as determined by the Agency.

(c) The parameters to be recorded should meet the performance specifications (range, sampling intervals, accuracy limits and resolution in read-out) as defined in the relevant tables of EUROCAE Document 112A, or any later equivalent standard produced by EUROCAE.

Table 1: FDR — All helicopters

| No\*                       | Parameter                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
| -------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| 1                          | Time or relative time count                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| 2                          | Pressure altitude                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
| 3                          | Indicated airspeed or calibrated airspeed                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
| 4                          | Heading                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
| 5                          | Normal acceleration                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
| 6                          | Pitch attitude                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
| 7                          | Roll attitude                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
| 8                          | Manual radio transmission keying CVR/FDR synchronisation reference                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
| 9 9a 9b 9c 9d 9e           | Power on each engine: Free power turbine speed (NF) Engine torque Engine gas generator speed (NG) Flight crew compartment power control position Other parameters to enable engine power to be determined                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
| 10 10a 10b                 | Rotor: Main rotor speed Rotor brake (if installed)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
| 11 11a 11b 11c 11d 11e 11f | Primary flight controls — pilot input or control output position if it is possible to derive either the control input or the control movement (one from the other) for all modes of operation and flight regimes. Otherwise, pilot input and control output position Collective pitch Longitudinal cyclic pitch Lateral cyclic pitch Tail rotor pedal Controllable stabilator (if applicable) Hydraulic selection |
| 12                         | Hydraulics low pressure (each system should be recorded)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| 13                         | Outside air temperature                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
| 18                         | Yaw rate or yaw acceleration                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
| 20                         | Longitudinal acceleration (body axis)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| 21                         | Lateral acceleration                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
| 25                         | Marker beacon passage                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| 26                         | Warnings — including master warning, gearbox low oil pressure and stability augmentation system failure, and other ‘red’ warnings where the warning condition cannot be determined from other parameters or from the cockpit voice recorder.                                                                                                                                                                      |
| 27                         | Each navigation receiver frequency selection                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
| 37                         | Engine control modes                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |

\* The number in the left-hand column reflects the serial numbers depicted in EUROCAE Document 112A.

Table 2: Helicopters for which the data source for the parameter is either used by the helicopter systems or is available on the instrument panel for use by the flight crew to operate the helicopter

| No\*                       | Parameter                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
| -------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| 14                         | AFCS mode and engagement status (showing which systems are engaged and which primary modes are controlling the flight path)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
| 15                         | Stability augmentation system engagement (each system should be recorded)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
| 16                         | Main gear box oil pressure                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
| 17 17a 17b 17c             | Gear box oil temperature: Main gear box oil temperature Intermediate gear box oil temperature Tail rotor gear box oil temperature                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
| 19                         | Indicated sling load force (if signals readily available)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
| 22                         | Radio altitude                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
| 23 23a 23b 23c             | Vertical deviation — the approach aid in use should be recorded: ILS glide path MLS elevation GNSS approach path                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
| 24 24a 24b 24c             | Horizontal deviation — the approach aid in use should be recorded: ILS localiser MLS azimuth GNSS approach path                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
| 28                         | DME 1 & 2 distances                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
| 29 29a 29b 29c 29d 29e 29f | Navigation data: Drift angle Wind speed Wind direction Latitude Longitude Ground speed                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
| 30                         | Landing gear or gear selector position                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
| 31                         | Engine exhaust gas temperature (T4)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
| 32                         | Turbine inlet temperature (TIT)/interstage turbine temperature (ITT)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
| 33                         | Fuel contents                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
| 34                         | Altitude rate (vertical speed) — only necessary when available from cockpit instruments                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| 35                         | Ice detection                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
| 36 36a 36b 36c 36d 36e     | Helicopter health and usage monitor system (HUMS): Engine data Chip detector Track timing Exceedance discretes Broadband average engine vibration                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
| 38 38a 38b                 | Selected barometric setting — to be recorded for helicopters where the parameter is displayed electronically: Pilot Co-pilot                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
| 39                         | Selected altitude (all pilot selectable modes of operation) — to be recorded for the helicopters where the parameter is displayed electronically.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
| 40                         | Selected speed (all pilot selectable modes of operation) — to be recorded for the helicopters where the parameter is displayed electronically.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
| 41                         | Selected Mach (all pilot selectable modes of operation) — to be recorded for the helicopters where the parameter is displayed electronically.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
| 42                         | Selected vertical speed (all pilot selectable modes of operation) — to be recorded for the helicopters where the parameter is displayed electronically.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| 43                         | Selected heading (all pilot selectable modes of operation) — to be recorded for the helicopters where the parameter is displayed electronically.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
| 44                         | Selected flight path (all pilot selectable modes of operation) — to be recorded for the helicopters where the parameter is displayed electronically.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
| 45                         | Selected decision height (all pilot selectable modes of operation) — to be recorded for the helicopters where the parameter is displayed electronically.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| 46 46a 46b                 | EFIS display format (showing the display system status): Pilot First officer                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
| 47                         | Multi-function/engine/alerts display format (showing the display system status)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
| 48                         | Event marker                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
| 49 49a 49b 49c             | Status of ground proximity warning system (GPWS)/terrain awareness warning system (TAWS)/ground collision avoidance system (GCAS): Selection of terrain display mode including pop-up display status — for helicopters type certified before 1 January 2023, to be recorded only if this does not require extensive modification. Terrain alerts, both cautions and warnings, and advisories — for helicopters type certified before 1 January 2023, to be recorded only if this does not require extensive modification. On/off switch position — for helicopters type certified before 1 January 2023, to be recorded only if this does not require extensive modification.                                                                                                                                                  |
| 50 50a 50b 50c 50d 50e     | Traffic alert and collision avoidance system (TCAS)/airborne collision avoidance system (ACAS): Combined control — for helicopters type certified before 1 January 2023, to be recorded only if this does not require extensive modification. Vertical control — for helicopters type certified before 1 January 2023, to be recorded only if this does not require extensive modification. Up advisory — for helicopters type certified before 1 January 2023, to be recorded only if this does not require extensive modification. Down advisory — for helicopters type certified before 1 January 2023, to be recorded only if this does not require extensive modification. Sensitivity level — for helicopters type certified before 1 January 2023, to be recorded only if this does not require extensive modification. |
| 51 51a 51b 51c 51d         | Primary flight controls — pilot input forces: Collective pitch — for helicopters type certified before 1 January 2023, to be recorded only if this does not require extensive modification. Longitudinal cyclic pitch — for helicopters type certified before 1 January 2023, to be recorded only if this does not require extensive modification. Lateral cyclic pitch — for helicopters type certified before 1 January 2023, to be recorded only if this does not require extensive modification. Tail rotor pedal – for helicopters type certified before 1 January 2023, to be recorded only if this does not require extensive modification.                                                                                                                                                                             |
| 52                         | Computed centre of gravity — for helicopters type certified before 1 January 2023, to be recorded only if this does not require extensive modification.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| 53                         | Helicopter computed weight — for helicopters type certified before 1 January 2023, to be recorded only if this does not require extensive modification.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |

\* The number in the left-hand column reflects the serial numbers depicted in EUROCAE Document 112A.

AMC · AMC2 SPO.IDE.H.145 — Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 · ED Decision 2016/021/R · Air OPS Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 27 Mar 2026

[All rules in SUBPART D: INSTRUMENTS, DATA AND EQUIPMENT](https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/air-ops/part-spo/subpart-d)

Consolidated from the EASA Easy Access Rules (revision 27 Mar 2026, extracted 13 Oct 2026) for convenience. Not the official publication — verify against the Official Journal of the European Union and the EASA publications before operational use.
